Living your blessed blind life — with Chris, The Blind Man with the Backpack

This week I'm joined by my dear friend Chris, who many of you will know as The Blind Man with the Backpack.Chris was diagnosed with cone dystrophy in 2018, and within a couple of years had gone from driving and living what he calls a "normal-ish life" to being severely sight impaired. We talk about the constant adaptation that comes with degenerative sight loss — the moving goalposts, the readjustment family members can find so hard to understand, and the grief of what we could do last month but can't do this month.Chris also opens up about the last six weeks since his beloved guide dog Chester retired from work, and what it's been like returning to the white cane after the partnership of a dog. His description of the difference — a bumper car versus a Formula One car — has stayed with me ever since.We share what keeps us going. For Chris, it's his local woods and an outdoor pool in Reading where the staff have made every adjustment so he can swim. For me, it's yoga, breath work, and being outdoors.And because I'm walking part of the Jurassic Coast in July for RNIB, I asked Chris for his tips. He walked the Pembrokeshire coast with a guide, and what he says about rhythm and trust between walker and guide is something I'll be carrying with me on the cliff paths.His advice to his younger self is one I'll be coming back to: live your blessed blind life. Don't fight it. Just go with it.You can find Chris on Instagram as @theblindmanwithabackpack and on his blog of the same name.Produced by Anne Gould. Music via Epidemic Sound. With thanks to Sarah Place Accountants, Bury St Edmunds, for supporting the production. To hear more, visit pathwayyoga.substack.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathwayyoga.substack.com/subscribe